Photo courtesy prosecutorsFrom left, Mylyn Robinson, 28, of Newark, Kaysona Miller, 27, of South Bound Brook, Armin Spann, 31, of North Plainfield, and Barry Norman, 28, of South Bound Brook, are charged with running a dog fighting operation in South Bound Brook.

SOMERSET COUNTY -- The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office is teaming up with outside agencies to offer $5,500 in reward money leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in animal fighting around the county.

photo courtesy policeArtamas Miller, 39, of Plainfield, is the fifth person accused in an alleged dog fighting ring in South Bound Brook
"Animal fighting complaints are a serious matter," said Heather Cammisa, the Humane Society’s state director. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office is the first prosecutor’s office in the state to collaborate with HSUS in offering rewards for tips on animal fighting.

"They’ve proven their commitment to fighting illegal dog fighting in the county," said Ann Chynoweth, senior director of the society’s animal cruelty and fighting campaign. The society’s reward program has been implemented nationwide and more than 50 rewards have been paid for successful cases.

In New Jersey, animal fighting is a third-degree crime punishable by up to five years in prison. The battles are extremely brutal, with animals often fighting to the death. It has been associated with other types of crimes including drugs and violence, officials said.

Children are often present, as they were Sunday when police responded to Edgewood Terrace in South Bound Brook, Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest has said. Five adults have been charged in that case, and the five injured pit bulls were euthanized earlier this week, officials said.

Citizens should watch for large numbers of pit bulls, dogs with scars and people coming with dogs late at night, Chynoweth said. Dog fighters have sometimes reported each other, she said.

Crime Stoppers is offering $500 for an arrest and indictment, said Frank Aquila, president and chairman of their board of directors. The Humane Society is offering up to $5,000 for an arrest and conviction.

Anyone with information about Somerset County cases is asked to call the Crime Stoppers tips line at (888) 577-TIPS (8477), or go to www.888577tips.org and click "Give Tips" or www.scpo.net and click "Crime Stoppers."